Tag: Academia – Projects

InECCE 2025 – An Undergraduate Research Dissemination in UMPSA STEM Lab

Yesterday, I attended InECCE 2025, a conference organized by the Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at UMPSA. The session was a meaningful platform to showcase the innovative works of our undergraduate students, particularly their final year projects (FYPs).

In total, five papers were presented, each highlighting a unique research direction that combines embedded systems, sensor integration, microcontrollers, microcomputers, and data analytics. The projects not only reflect strong technical execution but also the students’ growing ability to communicate their findings in a professional setting.

1. Design and Implementation of Circularly Polarized Antenna for CubeSat Applications

This project focused on developing a circularly polarized antenna tailored for CubeSat communications. Antennas of this type are essential to ensure reliable signal transmission regardless of satellite orientation. The work demonstrated solid grounding in antenna theory, simulation, and hardware prototyping, bridging theory with practical space communication requirements. IEEExplore

2. Image Recognition System for Pico-Satellite Earth Surface Analysis (50–75 m) – Amin

A pico-satellite imaging system was designed to perform image recognition at resolutions of 50–75 meters. The project involved integrating cameras with processing units, and developing algorithms for Earth surface feature detection and analysis. Such a system has strong potential for applications in environmental monitoring, agriculture, and disaster assessment. IEEExplore

3. Human-Robot Interactive Miniature Robot – Gan

Using the UMP STEMbot, a two-wheel miniature robot, this project explored human-robot interaction. By programming the robot to respond to commands and adapt to environmental feedback, the students highlighted applications in education, assistive robotics, and interactive learning platforms. The work required programming microcontrollers to interface with sensors, actuators, and wireless communication modules. IEEExplore

4. Navigational System for Miniature Robots – Kiren

This project also utilized the STEMbot, focusing on building a navigation system for autonomous mobility. By integrating infrared, ultrasonic, and IMU sensors, students enabled the robot to avoid obstacles, follow paths, and optimize its movement. The project served as a practical example of applying control systems, embedded programming, and robotics algorithms in real-world scenarios. IEEExplore

5. Integrated Data Acquisition and Environmental Analytics in Pico-Satellite Systems – Zharif

In this work, a data acquisition and analytics system was designed for a pico-satellite, the STEM Cube. The system collected environmental parameters (e.g., temperature, humidity, radiation levels), stored them in a database, and processed the data for visualization and decision-making. This project required students to master both hardware sensor integration and software development for analytics and visualization. IEEExplore

Beyond Hardware – Communication Skills Matter

It has always been a practice in UMPSA STEM Lab’s project supervision to develop a tangible projects (involves hardware – circuit design and development), simulation and analysis, as well as the presentation and paper-writing skills. Producing technical hardware (embedded systems, robots, satellites) is one challenge; communicating the work through IEEE-style papers and oral presentations is another. Both are equally critical in preparing students for industry and academic research.

That is why I emphasize to my students:

  • Build the system – design, test, and validate the hardware/software.
  • Code, simulate and analysis – code and program micro controllers / microcomputers / FPGAs
  • Communicate the system – write a paper, prepare figures, and present findings confidently.

Conferences like InECCE 2025 in Kuantan provide exactly this type of exposure, bridging classroom learning with professional dissemination.

I look forward to bringing my current and future FYP / SDP / URP / PG students to similar conferences, providing them opportunities not only to engage in project-based learning but also to present and publish their work. Such experiences shape them into well-rounded engineers who can both design systems and communicate ideas effectively to wider communities.

Publication 2025/1 – Computational Thinking Through Scaffolded Game Development Activities: A Study with Graphical Programming

The latest work on programming education and computational thinking (CT) has been published in a Scopus Q2 journal =).

Read Article

This marks a milestone for the UMPSA STEM Lab team, as the journey behind this publication began several years ago with one simple motivation, which is to explore open-source platforms and methods that make programming more accessible and less intimidating for beginners.

Between 2020 and 2023, we designed and refined an instructional module using mBlock, an open-source, graphical programming tool. Our outreach program focused on the introductory level, specifically to address a common problem we see in schools: many beginners struggle with syntax when starting with textual programming, which often leads to frustration and loss of interest.

To make programming more approachable, two game-based learning modules were crafted, namely Snake and Pac-Man. Each activity began with students exploring the final product. They then applied computational thinking to break the game into smaller tasks (decomposition), identify patterns (abstraction), and plan their approach through flowcharts.

On the programming side, students first created or customised sprites to become familiar with the software—either on PC or online—before moving into block-based coding. This introduced them to core programming concepts such as iteration, conditionals, sequencing, and variables. By developing sprite movements, interactions, and game logic, students could see the immediate results of their coding decisions, helping them visualise and understand how each step contributes to the program.

We embedded tiered scaffolding throughout the learning process:

  1. Workout instruction – detailed, fully guided tasks.

  2. Debugging – fixing provided code with guidance.

  3. Semi-completed tasks – filling in missing code.

  4. Independent tasks – creating new features from scratch.

 

This structured approach proved effective, giving students a clear sense of completion and boosting their confidence as they progressed.

I would like to personally thank all the teachers, schoolchildren, and UMPSA STEM Lab mentors who contributed, not just by participating in our outreach programs but by helping us improve the instructional sets. This is the essence of what UMPSA STEM Lab strives for: bringing engineering to schoolchildren and constantly improving how we teach it.

We look forward to delivering more innovative engineering education initiatives within STEM, not just doing outreach, but nurturing talent for the future.

FYP/SDP Progress Meeting and Discussion with JPN

FYP/SDP Progress

Very well done, everyone is progressing well with the targeted milestones. Out framework consists of sensor integration, database and dashboard.

Everyone is on track – ready to infuse intelligence /image processing to the system.

Discussion JPN Pahang

Met JPN officer to discuss on the Metaverse and its potential in pedagogy. Looking forward to this collab as I believe it has a good potential moving forward.

Congratulations Dr Nurulfadzilah Hassan

Nurulfadzilah did her PhD research in developing a novel composite – Epoxy Barium Titanate for the use of microstrip  patch antenna design. In this work she explored and characterized BTo targeting for application in 2.4 GHz antenna.

With 6 publications throughout the research, she successfully defended her thesis with minor revision required.

Congratulations once again.